In a nutshell
- We recommend 3 neighborhoods for an overnight stay in Porto. Each has its own charm and advantages.
- The tourist center has most of the sights, making it ideal if you’re looking for where to stay in Porto for first-timers. Our hotel tip: Oporto Loft – a small, stylish art hotel with delicious breakfast and a cozy garden. Perfect if you’re staying one night in Porto.
- From Vila Nova de Gaia you get amazing views of Porto’s skyline. Our hotel tip: Caléway Hotel – traditionally decorated with tiles and stone walls. A great choice if you want to know the best locations to stay in Porto for views.
- In Boavista and Cedofeita it’s a bit quieter, yet you’re still close to the Old Town. Our hotel tip: Baumhaus Serviced Apartments – not an actual treehouse, but a charming aparthotel with a super friendly owner. Perfect if you want to explore Porto’s best neighborhoods in a relaxed way.
Neighborhoods in Porto on a Map
To make things easier for you, we’ve marked the neighborhoods we recommend for staying overnight in Porto on this map.
For us, Porto can be divided into three main parts. The area outlined in red in the center of the map is the tourist center of Porto.
We’ve further divided the tourist center into three sub-areas, marked yellow, orange, and light blue on the map.
The green area at the bottom of the map is technically no longer Porto but the town of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river, known as the heart of port wine production.
The third area, marked in dark blue, covers the neighborhoods of Boavista and Cedofeita, north of the tourist center, where you can experience a more local side of the city.
All three areas are excellent choices when looking for hotels in Porto, and each has its own perks. Below, we’ll show you which one might suit you best and where to start your search for a hotel in Porto. We also share our top hotel recommendations for every budget.
Where to Stay in the Center of Porto
In Porto’s city center, you’ll find most of the main sights, making it one of the best areas to stay in Porto for first-timers.
The Ribeira along the Douro River is the place where most tourists gather.
Here, you can enjoy a stunning view of the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge and Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from one of the many riverside cafés.
Pros of staying in the center:
- You’re in the heart of the action
- Hotels in every price range
- All major sights within walking distance
- Plenty of restaurants and pubs nearby
Cons of staying in the center:
- Prices are slightly higher than in surrounding neighborhoods
- Depending on your hotel’s location, it can be noisy at night
Best places to stay in Porto city center
Our hotel in Porto: Oporto Loft
We spent the first two of our four days at the Oporto Loft Art Hotel. It has just five rooms, each uniquely decorated with lots of attention to detail.
The hotel is in a renovated old building and lovingly run by the owners. Rooms are stylish, with artworks from local artists displayed throughout.
The whole place feels like a small art exhibition—you can even buy some of the furniture or decor.
Breakfast was excellent, and the garden behind the hotel must be beautiful in the summer—unfortunately, it rained during our stay, so we didn’t get to enjoy it.
The location is perfect—you’re right in the middle of the tourist center within a few minutes’ walk of main sights in Porto.
Wi-Fi is available throughout, which is always essential for us.
Where to Stay in Vila Nova de Gaia: Across the River
Vila Nova de Gaia offers stunning views of Porto—definitely one of the best neighborhoods in Porto to stay in.
Vila Nova de Gaia is located just across the Douro River. With around 180,000 residents, it’s the hub of port wine production.
From here, you get amazing views of Porto, and you can walk to the city center in about 10 minutes or take the metro across the river.
Pros of staying in Vila Nova de Gaia:
- Fantastic views of Porto’s skyline
- Hotels for every budget
- Many port wine cellars and restaurants nearby
- Home to one of Europe’s best hotels – The Yeatman Hotel
Cons of staying in Vila Nova de Gaia:
- You need to cross the river to get to Porto, which takes a little extra time
- Most main sights are on the other side of the river
- Fewer hotel options than in Porto’s center
Best places to stay in Vila Nova de Gaia
Where to Stay in Boavista and Cedofeita
Boavista and Cedofeita are quieter and less touristy, yet still close to the heart of Porto, making them one of the best areas to stay in Porto.
The third area we recommend for staying in Porto includes the neighborhoods of Boavista and Cedofeita, north of the tourist center.
For this area, use Rua de Boavista as your northern boundary. Many great hotels are located along this street, making it an ideal spot to stay.
Just make sure your hotel isn’t too far west—the roundabout at the Casa de Música forms the western edge of this area.
These two districts are less touristy than the other areas we’ve highlighted, yet you can reach the heart of the tourist center within a 10-minute walk.
Two must-see sights are right in this area: Mercado Bom Sucesso and Casa de Música concert hall.
Pros of staying in Boavista and Cedofeita
- You’ll be in a quieter, more local part of Porto
- Hotels for every budget
- Great value for money compared to the tourist center
Cons of staying in Boavista and Cedofeita:
- It takes about a 10-minute walk to reach the tourist center
Best places to stay in Boavista and Cedofeita
Canto de Luz
Baumhaus Serviced Apartments Exceptional!
Our hotel in Porto: Baumhaus Serviced Apartments
We spent the last two days of our Porto trip at the Baumhaus Serviced Apartments. We rarely feel so at home in a place we stay in.
“Hotel” doesn’t quite capture it—they’re actually beautifully furnished apartments with everything you need: a fully equipped kitchen, private balcony, internet, TV, a dining table, a coffee machine with coffee, and more.
We really wished we could have stayed longer.
The apartments are cleaned daily, and there are always two cold beers waiting in the fridge, included in your stay.
We immediately loved the name Baumhaus. Who wouldn’t want to sleep in a treehouse?
We asked the lovely manager Daniela about the story behind the name. Turns out, the owner is Portuguese but lives in Germany. The entire house was lovingly renovated just months before our arrival, and architect Ana Coelho did an amazing job.
The minimalist style of the apartments is exactly our thing. We can warmly recommend this lovingly run accommodation as one of the best places to stay in Porto.